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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 536, 25 November 1890, Page 2

An attempt is being made in Gisborne by a few people who ought to know better, to work up religious feeling against Mt Kelly because he is in favor of Mr Pyke’s Private Schools Bill, or as Mr Pyke himself puts it, “justice to the Catholics.” The opponents of the Bill say it would break up the national school system, and they refuse to take any heed of the earnestness shown by Roman Catholics in paying for special schools while they are also compelled to pay their share towards the State system. To those persons who are foolishly stirring up religious strife we shall not deign to say a word, but to those whose opposition to the Bill is genuine because they fear the efficiency of the system might be impaired, we would reply that none of the leading men in the House think so. In his address last week Sir John Hall said “In the Session of 1889 I voted for the Private Schools Bill, and I agree with Sir H. Atkinson, Mr Ballance, and others, that such a concession would make our system truly national, and not endanger it.” Captain Russell, speaking at Hastings, expressed the same opinion, though he shrewdly avoided allusion to the subject in this district, because he knew it would disarm a certain amount of opposition against Mr Kelly. It is a remarkable fact, too, that many of the people who are making an election cry of this matter were strong supporters of Mr A. Graham, who voted for the Bill. As it happens they are now only defeating their own purpose, and ensuring a consolidated Catholic vote for Mr Kelly.